Why Do People Make and Provide Software and Support for Free?

ngoonee · 2011-03-28 01:58:16

stqn wrote:

hockeyfighter09 wrote:
When I see someone on a particular distro forum with post counts of 1000s, that is a lot of free time dedicated helping others, sometimes with complex problems that might take multiple tries to come up with a fix. Why not help others and get paid for it like the people who provide support for products like Windows or OSX? Thats what I am really trying to get at with that question.
Ah, I see now. I'm not sure if there's a market for that... There is one for Windows users because people who don't know anything about computing use Windows... But Linux users either can fix things by themselves (with free help from "the Internet"...) or are using Linux because a family member installed it for them, in which case this relative will help them for free (hopefully.)
I may be wrong but I think a Linux users who doesn't have the time to maintain his box anymore is more likely to switch to Debian stable than pay someone to take care of his problems. Now that could be different as far as entreprises are concerned, of course...

There is always a market for support (may not be very big or anything, but there is), especially if its on-demand.

Your perspective is that of an individual (hobbyist?) user, not that of a small business enterprise (who would sign up with Red Hat, for example). They make money of it

pyther · 2011-03-28 02:58:04

hockeyfighter09 wrote:

1. How long have you been using Linux?

About 5-6 years. I started playing with Linux in the 8th grade. I will be 20 in a month.

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?

I first found out about "Linux" at a computer/programming camp over the summer going into 6th grade. Its focus was on programming (Basic) and one of the instructors was running Red Hat. "Hey what that on your computer? It isn't windows! Oh that is Red Hat/Linux" 2-3 years later around 8th grade is when I really started to dabble. The library had a section of computer books and they had a row of Linux books (Red Hat, Ubuntu).

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?

Choices and open source. I am able to use what works for me. If I don't like something I have alternatives. Since the majority of the programs I use are opensource and free I can help improve them, by submitting bugs, feature requests, and patches. Most free software on Windows (I have little experience with OS X) do not provide any real communication channels with the developers (can't submit bugs or patches). There is a community in the Linux/opensource world which just doesn't exist in the Windows world.

In addition, the command line! It is a powerful tool. I can write hundreds of simple script in Linux with ease saving me time and making my life easy. Working in a windows environment these simple script can easily become complex and frustrating.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?

With Arch I have complete control over my system. It is fairly easy to modify the system any way I want to, without fearing breakage. The devs are also pretty cool!

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?

Yes. Work (wireless scanners, Active Directory, Office, Security Camera Software)
At home/personal I run a few games through wine. Also use windows in Virtualbox to test and experiment with things.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?

I use the software the community creates. I want software to be better for myself and for the community. I believe that helping users in the community (forums, mailing lists, irc) will help indirectly obtain this goal.

In addition, I get to expand expand my skill set. I have learned a ton because of my involvement in the opensource world.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?

Hopefully the same thing that motivates me.

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?

Assuming free opensource software here.
To give back. It is also a great way to make your project better. People from the community can provide suggestions and patches and report bugs, ultimately making your software better.

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?

You can improve your skill set thus making you more marketable.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?

I get to help people and I benefit from the works of others.
Dislike: the trolls and those who think we should bow down to them

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?

Not at the moment. I want to look into some voluntar work, but at the moment, with school and work, there is no time. I spend to much time in opensource communities.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?

At Work, a bit. We have a few linux server and use some opensource cross-platfrom software.

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?

I received a lot of help from the community when I first started off. I want to return the favor. There is also a warm fuzzy feeling that you get when you can help someone out.

jasonwryan · 2011-03-28 07:56:51

1. How long have you been using Linux?
November 2007

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?
Some of the technical staff I was working with at the time were running Linux and one of them gave me a CD to try

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?
Freedom. The ability to have complete control over my system and to customize a working environment that complements the tasks I use a machine for.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?
I stumbled across The Arch Way and it really resonated with me. The philosophy appeals to me as much as the technology...

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?
Only at work.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?
To try and give a little bit back in recognition of the huge amount of work that has gone into providing this distro and the community that supports it.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?
Like most communities, there would be quite a diverse range of motivations

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?
Sharing, despite attempts to demonize it, is quite fundamental to the human condition.

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?
Aside from any technical expertise they may acquire along the way - it makes them a better person. The ability to successfully interact with others is an invaluable professional asset.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?
See 6.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?
I do some charity work as time allows

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?
I advocate for the use of FOSS in government

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?
See 6

tlvb · 2011-03-28 09:47:39

1. How long have you been using Linux?

Not sure, but my registration on ubuntuforums is from April 2005 so about six years or therearound.
I tried debian some time before that with the help of my dad, but could not get X up and running so without
any real linux skills I lost interest. When I found out about ubuntu I tried it and have been using linux as my main
OS since then.

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?

Can't remember, but I've always been interested in computers and technology.

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?

At first curiosity, now I find an operating system without a proper command line shell somewhat hostile.
(And with that I mean something like bash. CMD.exe does not cut it although I cut my computer teeth on DOS+win3.11.
I have not tried the new powershell)
Modularity and scalability is another good thing, my current laptop has a 2GHz single core and 1GB ram, my server is below
1GHz, but I can still run the latest versions of anything I choose until stuff literally breaks instead of 'getting old and slow'.
I believe replacing and throwing away something that works well is a sin, not only for environmental reasons.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?

Arch has a good balance between 'making stuff easier' and 'not getting in the way when you want to poke around' as well
as an excellent wiki and a helpful knowledgeable community. Arch was the light distro everybody talked about when
I wanted something more minimalist than ubuntu, and while I did not manage to configure everything the first trie, I like the
idea it was built on and went back until I did.

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?

Some university courses require certain software (e.g. LabView, Modelsim), while often having a linux version available,
the one we got for the course and/or the student version were windows only.
If I had the hardware I would probably game more.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?

I'm not sure I contribute very much, though I answer some programming questions now and then, however I believe that sharing knowledge is morally good.
As I value learning new things myself, teaching somebody something they did not previously know feels good.
Also on forums like these discussion and questions mix and answering any questions I know the answer to comes natural.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?

More or less like no.6.

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?

I believe it is different from person to person, however most open source projects (I think) come from the fact that the programmer needed that particular
piece of software themselves, the free sharing of it may be because of moral convictions, "look what I have done", gaining respect from one's peers, a way
of attracting additional developers or a combination of those (or others).

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?

"A good way of learning/making sure you know something is trying to teach it to somebody else."
Being able to show some software/code one has contributed to is also a good thing when writing a cv for a software related position.
If one is lucky one may get contacts from the community that will later lead to a job.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?

I enjoy the logical puzzle that lies in making the computer do a specific task. However too often the 'logical puzzle' takes attention from 'task' and I end up doing very simple
things in an esoteric programming language.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?

I have been a tech (mostly lighting, but a little sound the last time) in a student theater for six semesters now.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?

It effects the software choices I make, but not much outside the computing world.

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?

I get a lot of support for free, sharing the little I know is the least I could do. Also see no.6.

Last edited by tlvb (2011-03-30 05:52:28)

Awebb · 2011-03-28 09:58:49

1. How long have you been using Linux?

I've been using Linux sporadically since 1997, at first playing around with it at my uncles place, then with live and rescue systems. I use it as my main OS for the third year now.

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?

My uncle showed me. He was an CS student when I was younger, so he always had a machine running Linux.

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?

It's hard to customize Windows and OSX. I like doing things my way, so either Linux or {Free,Open,Net}BSD is the way to go. I chose Linux because I had less initial problems with it. I'll give the BSD world another try some day.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?

I tried many distributions, most of them got in my way by forcing me to follow a certain concept. It is much faster to build an Arch box from the scratch than benting and bowing ubuntu as much as it takes to make it tick the way you want. If it takes, say, 10 hours anyway, then why should I spend those 10 hours in fiddling with a system I don't know instead of building my own?

If something breaks it was usually me (and sometimes Allan, of course). It takes me only minutes to identify the problem, I know the system very well, unlike I would do with an OpenSuse box for example.

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?

Yes. I play videogames on different gaming consoles and I use several closed source applications on my Android phone. Uh. The latter is Linux more or less... Yes, I play games :-)

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?

Out of pure selfishness. I read questions and think about problems to learn more about Linux (and Computer Science in general). In addition, Linux lives from it's community. It's free. I don't have to go to work for 20 hours a month just to buy the software I need. By helping out others, I can do my part. Every proper explanation on a forum is one (faulty) bug less on a dev's bugtracker. Every script I find an error in creates the remote chance that it's author finds his love for programming and writes a really nice piece of software I might use in a few years. We can have our nice OS the way we want it as long as we manage to motivate the developers. If they are happy, we are happy.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?

I'd say they mostly act for similar reasons. I think some of them are just cummunity people, they don't think about this question, they find contributing to a community you gained something from as the most natural thing. It is a nice thing, though. You don't need to be special to contribute, you just do it and you don't have to worry about the importance of your contribution.

In fact, as harsh as some Archers are, these forums are way more friendly than any real world community could ever be. You are protected by the bullet proof glass of your screen and if you made enemies, you can start over with a new identity and no one will know. Contributing on such communities does not make you vulnarable. Most people seem to allow themselves more in such an environment.

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?

There are multiple reasons. First of all, money is not a genetic attribute, it's a man-made thing. There are many of us who have understood that money isn't everything. Those of us find the concept of "intellectual property" confusing and faulty.

The other reason is much more pragmatic: If no one charges money for software, I can use whatever software I want. Oh, I wrote a script yesterday. I'll send it to that guy that gave me that other script the other day. And so on...

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?

I once was a moderator on a large message board. After a year I became admin. I learned a lot about project management and things like "human resources". I obtained skills I can use in other scenarios.

For developers: Learn to code, write a big piece of software, learn how a project works and get hired by a company. It's all about experience. By doing things by yourself you can learn more than any school could ever teach you.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?

I enjoy solving riddles. It gives me a certain satisfaction. I also enjoy the endless discussions about nothing. It amuses me how people react when they think someone's wrong on the internet.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?

I voluntarily give lessons in whatever the kids at the local school have problems with. I once was a teacher at that school, the bigger ones sometimes just come by my house and ask for help. It's not an organization, but in fact I don't give a fsck about organisations. They usually play by rules I can't agree with.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?

Nothing besides friends sitting at my house asking me Linux related questions because they all saw my compiz desktop...

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?

I don't see a reason to charge money for the result of a hobby. If I took money for that, I'd have to give a certain warranty for everything I say or do and I'd have to have a certain availability because I'd want to make a living with it. If it's about money, it's not fun.

stqn · 2011-03-28 13:06:19

ngoonee wrote:

There is always a market for support (may not be very big or anything, but there is), especially if its on-demand.
Your perspective is that of an individual (hobbyist?) user, not that of a small business enterprise (who would sign up with Red Hat, for example). They make money of it

Yeah sure, I was thinking about individual users, because that's what people are doing in these forums: help other individual users.

That's actually an interesting question and I've spent a couple of minutes searching the web for Linux support companies to see what existed... But to cut a long story short, I think it's *much* easier, less stressful, maybe even more rewarding to help people for free than to offer paid support. It's also fair to give something back to the community when you've had all this software and help for free.

On the other hand, I could imagine Flattr buttons popping up in forum signatures...

swanson · 2011-03-28 14:29:11

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?

At one time, many years ago there was almost a monopoly situation concerning operating systems. My concern was if there's only one OS to choose what happens to poeple's mind set, vocabulary and perception of reality? And, ecpecially since this one OS comes from a commercial company? Seems to me we could really be living George Orwell's "1984"! Alternatives are fruitful for freedom of thinking and creativity.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?

To help freedom of thinking.

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?

Because it should be free, as in gratis and as in freedom.

ngoonee · 2011-03-28 15:46:04

stqn wrote:

ngoonee wrote:
There is always a market for support (may not be very big or anything, but there is), especially if its on-demand.
Your perspective is that of an individual (hobbyist?) user, not that of a small business enterprise (who would sign up with Red Hat, for example). They make money of it
Yeah sure, I was thinking about individual users, because that's what people are doing in these forums: help other individual users.
<snip>

Oh, you haven't realized that some of the people asking for help here aren't 'individual users', but providing paid support for other parties (and relying on the free forums for that)?

To be clear, there's nothing wrong with that. And it doesn't happen very often in any case (for obvious reasons).

hockeyfighter09 · 2011-03-28 18:41:00

This is great! I had no idea the thread would take off like this! You guys are providing great information. It is so interesting reading others experiences and thoughts on this subject! The discussion on free support is especially interesting.

hauzer · 2011-03-28 18:42:13

hockeyfighter09 wrote:

1. How long have you been using Linux?

For about two years with some pauses.

hockeyfighter09 wrote:

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?

By lurking on the Internet.

hockeyfighter09 wrote:

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?

It all started as testing out..

hockeyfighter09 wrote:

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?

Because it combines simplicity with usability. All the needed information is provided, it's just up to the user to learn.

hockeyfighter09 wrote:

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?

Maybe just some games.

hockeyfighter09 wrote:

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?

It's popular, so there are far fetched goals and benefits that aren't obvious to the multitude. Of course, there are people that are just genuinely generous and give stuff for free.

cesura · 2011-03-28 19:36:54

1. How long have you been using Linux?
I believe I actually started using it full-time around June of 2009 (I know, fairly late, but I was way too young any time before that).

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?
I believe it was just screwing around on Google/YouTube. Although my uncle may have mentioned it to me.

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?
Excluding *BSD: speed and control.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?
I love the simplicity of the system. The community is also the best I have ever seen.

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?
Meh. I tend not to, but I occasionally use iTunes and MS Word at school.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?
It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. No, honestly, I just feel that if I have people to rely on, then I should return the favor to others.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?
Probably the same reason as me. It helps everyone, including yourself, so why not contribute?

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?
Probably to open up the possibility of code corrections made by community members, which is something you just can't get with proprietary software.

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?
It may help develop communication skills, which are always nice to have. I think most things people do benefit their future.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?
The way I see it, programming is an art; you start with nothing but electrical pulses and work your way up to where we are today. I suppose I dislike the "political" part of it, as I tend to like to work alone.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?
I do various forms of service work through a voluntary organization, if that counts.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?
I don't necessarily know how to answer that. Of course it has an effect on other things that I could be doing, as it takes a good amount of time. I think the worst part about it is how distracted I can get from school work sometimes, but that's not the computer's fault.

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?
As others have said, feel free to donate. I suppose I can connect this to #6: if I give people support for free, then chances are others will return the favor.

Interesting question though. I really enjoyed reflecting on what my role is in the open-source community.

barzam · 2011-03-28 20:30:29

1. How long have you been using Linux?
Since the beginning of 2008.

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?
A friend from the university told me about it, and encouraged me to try it out and provided me with help the first time and most of all showed me where to look for help by myself.

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?
I find it straight-forward to use, and I like the way it works. Also it has a lot of programs I like and it's easy to keep everything up to date. I also like the whole philosophy of a system for and from the same community.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?
Current distro is Arch. Pros with Arch are: ease of use, good support, fresh packages, rolling release model.

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?
Yes, a few games on Windows. Spotify with Wine (free account).

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?
Moral obligation. I got this great thing for free and I feel I should give something back.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?
Could be any reason. I believe many companies do it to see their needs being merged into the main branch etc. For most people actually writing a program, having users is what you are really looking for and providing it for free and allowing people to make additions to it is a great way to achieve that.

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?
Moral reasons are a big reason I think. But "given enough eyeballs are bugs are shallow" is a pretty good reason. The open source model makes for an effective production model.

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?
Really depend on the career. If you're into CS I believe it's a huge plus, if you're to become a lawyer or whatever it matters less.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?
Helping others is a big motivation for me. I dislike people who take this help and collection of great programs for granted and start demanding things.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?
None.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?
No, it's been a great asset. I just finished my thesis in law with an essay on the GPL and I'd never knew about this interesting subject were it not for being a GNU/Linux user.

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?
An OS needs users and if we can't make newcomers and people with problems feel welcome Arch will go away. I don't want that, so I try to help out if I know how to.

Good luck with your project and I'm glad to have been of help!

drcouzelis · 2011-03-29 14:56:11

hockeyfighter09 wrote:

1. How long have you been using Linux?

I started using Linux on my personal computer in 2000. I've used Linux exclusively since 2002.

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?

I used Microsoft Windows 3.1. I became more and more frustrated with each new version, including Windows 98. It was mainly because of the need to reboot or reinstall, and a general feeling of sluggishness. A friend in college taught me about Linux. He had Red Hat Linux installed on his computer, and taught me about some of its unique features.

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?

At first, I chose to use Linux because I had bad experiences using Microsoft Windows.

Nowadays, I feel differently. If I had the choice to use any operating system, I would choose Linux. Ease of use, power, speed, freedom, and available applications are some of the reasons.

Software freedom is important to me. I spent over six months using free and open source software exclusively (gNewSense Linux). It was a great experience.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?

I use Arch Linux primarily because it is a rolling release distribution.

For years, I would go through a cycle. I would wait for a new version of a distribution to be released. I would spend a long time installing it and setting it up. I would then spend months in anticipation for the next version to be able to use the new software that came with it.

Using a rolling release distribution allows me to avoid those situations. I never have to reinstall and I'm always using the latest software.

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?

I don't.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?

My hobby is writing software. It makes no sense to me for me to write a piece of software and then not share it. It costs me nothing to distribute the source code. I don't lose anything by distributing the source code. If someone can take the source code and create a better piece of software, then I benefit by being able to use the better version.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?

(pass)

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?

(pass)

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?

One reason I write software as a hobby is that it allows me to have more work experience to put on my resume.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?

By contributing to a project (bug reports, testing, documentation...) I can help create a better product that can be used by myself and others.

I haven't personally had many negative experiences in contributing.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?

I'm an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?

My personal experience with open source software and development helps me in my professional job as a software engineer.

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?

Posting on the Arch Linux forums is fun. I've never considered payment for computer support, either for myself or to another person. The idea seems strange to me.

Edit: I'm happy to talk more about anything above. If you'd like to, please send me a message. Thanks.

Last edited by drcouzelis (2011-03-29 15:50:46)

Misfit138 · 2011-03-30 00:04:45

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?

I believe that the majority of FOSS developers provide and maintain software purely out of egotism. These love the feeling of elevation and being perceived as generally smarter than you. They invariably enjoy the adoration of those using their software, and equally embrace the opportunities afforded them to berate, insult, dismiss and generally condescend toward those who recommend alternatives and human interface improvements which they disagree with.
A very small percentage of FOSS developers provide great software from a sense of humanism and it is to these that I am certainly grateful.

ngoonee · 2011-03-30 00:07:06

Misfit138 wrote:

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?
I believe that the majority of FOSS developers provide and maintain software purely out of egotism. These love the feeling of elevation and being perceived as generally smarter than you. They invariably enjoy the adoration of those using their software, and equally embrace the opportunities afforded them to berate, insult, dismiss and generally condescend toward those who recommend alternatives and human interface improvements which they disagree with.
A very small percentage of FOSS developers provide great software from a sense of humanism and it is to these that I am certainly grateful.

Now that's as depressing an outlook as I've seen in a while . I'd take issue with everything after 'equally embrace' though. This is very project-specific, and in my (limited) experience there's more projects which are open to change/help than those that are closed and abusive.

cesura · 2011-03-30 02:35:26

Misfit138 wrote:

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?
I believe that the majority of FOSS developers provide and maintain software purely out of egotism. These love the feeling of elevation and being perceived as generally smarter than you. They invariably enjoy the adoration of those using their software, and equally embrace the opportunities afforded them to berate, insult, dismiss and generally condescend toward those who recommend alternatives and human interface improvements which they disagree with.
A very small percentage of FOSS developers provide great software from a sense of humanism and it is to these that I am certainly grateful.

I don't necessarily think that the majority of developers are condescending towards their users, but I have definitely found the "enjoying the adoration" part to hold true. In all honesty though, what's wrong with wanting respect and prestige in a community? I believe that it's just a part of human nature, and if there is a nice product [the software] in the end, then is it really a problem?

Procyon · 2011-03-30 05:01:00

Misfit138 wrote:

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?
I believe that the majority of FOSS developers provide and maintain software purely out of egotism. These love the feeling of elevation and being perceived as generally smarter than you. They invariably enjoy the adoration of those using their software, and equally embrace the opportunities afforded them to berate, insult, dismiss and generally condescend toward those who recommend alternatives and human interface improvements which they disagree with.
A very small percentage of FOSS developers provide great software from a sense of humanism and it is to these that I am certainly grateful.

.. those who recommend alternatives and human interface improvements
I don't know about something that specific, but even generally when a project goes in the wrong direction often the programmers themselves get fed up with it and start anew.

I also don't agree with your first sentiment. Bug reports are generally valued much more than thanks.

Last edited by Procyon (2011-03-30 05:57:31)

JackH79 · 2011-03-31 05:39:17

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?

Apart from the stuff that's been said already, I think this video explains it quite nicely.

akephalos · 2011-03-31 08:28:37

1. How long have you been using Linux?
Since 2004, that is 7 years now.

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?
I knew about this OS already, though a friend of mine convinced me to try it out. He intrigued me by claiming it's superior to Windows, more reliable, flexible, configurable, and so on.

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?
It was the only handy Windows alternative to me at the time. I first tried a BSD OS but I failed at installing it so I continued with user-friendly distributions of Linux (Suse was my first, IIRC).
One of my current requirements is being able to modify the software to suit my needs, hence using a closed-source OS is out of question. At this point I can consider only open-source Unix and Unix-like systems, like Linux and BSD.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?
Based on both my a priori understanding in how software and the OS "should be" and on my necessities. Among the Linux distributions, Arch is the closest to my "ideal OS" and Linux itself is a platform on which most software I could need works.
In Arch, it is extremely easy to make your own packages thanks to ABS, and share them with others thanks to AUR. Virtually anything that works on Linux you can make *yourself* work on Arch, including custom packages. I'm using my custom patched version of Wine, with every version.

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?
Mostly games. I avoid using software which doesn't work on Linux or at least work properly when emulated with Wine.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?
An important motivation is purely emotional, I like to share news, tips and my ideas with people, hence sharing my code is a natural consequence. However, I'm not getting much out of my way for the sake of contributing, I'm doing the things I'm interested in, which others may find useful, though some things are interesting based on the challenges and opportunities to learn something that may help me in the future.
I also think that I'm helping myself when I contribute to the enrichment the open-source ecosystem, as it becomes more hospitable and independent as a whole.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?
There are many and diverse reasons for why people choose to contribute, objective and/or ethical. I don't keep track of them neither I currently have an interest in this matter.

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?
-

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?
In my case, I drew a great benefit from open-source! The project I'm currently working on would have not been possible without the contribution of thousands of people, with code, documentation and help.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?
I enjoy the most when my wishes come true, when I have a tool that I was needing but no one created before (at least it was not available to me). It is very rewarding to know that when you and others need something you can do it, you can make it reality.
There's no aspect I dislike that I can think of.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?
No.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?
I'm not sure, but I boast with it in my CVs .

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?
Mostly for the sake of reciprocity - see my answer at question 6. This does not imply any kind of obligation, I do it when I feel like and when I have the time, or when I feel it offers a potential benefit in the long run (for instance, learning something or supporting a paradigm I relate to).

Last edited by akephalos (2011-04-03 07:50:32)

kurrata · 2011-03-31 17:43:04

1. How long have you been using Linux?
about 3 years now
2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?
i learned about linux when i was a kid, even used it little bit.
3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?
it is fast and sincei have old pc it matters, and control
4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?
to put it bluntly, control over my OS
5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?
yes, mostly games thought wine
6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?
i woudn't say i contribute a lot but it feels nice that you could help someone.
7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?
same thing?
9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?
You learn stuff yourself to when helping
11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?
i am not
12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?
i am learning to write code so it directly helps me

bohoomil · 2011-03-31 18:49:34

1. How long have you been using Linux?

11 years.

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?

I don't remember exactly, but I wanted to have a *nix like system on my PC and thus I got a copy of RedHat.

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?

It's free (politically and economically). And darn fascinating (politically and technically).

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?

Severe health issues got me lots of free time, so I finally could confront myself with the Arch myth.

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?

Yes, one 20 Mb big piece of software under Wine.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?

Let's presume my contribution is due to great fun. (See point 10 for further explanation.)

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?

Because they feel better people? Sexier? Younger? Who cares what really motivates them unless they chop my head off?

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?

I don't know and really don't care that much about it. (OK, let's put it differently. Many years ago Mr Gates expressed a low opinion that not everyone really needs access to modern technology at home. I think quite opposite, and so do people who donate their time and intellectual effort to provide others with mostly great software.)

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?

There are plenty. And the benefits aren't only of the moral sort. However, even if we consider the moral aspect of contribution the main one, one can get back a lot.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?

My main contribution is setting up and maintaining Linux boxes locally. I'm not sure if some people whose PCs I take care of even know they're actually using Linux on a regular basis.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?

I don't belong to any organization, any church, any political party, any society. As for charities, I simply try to help people directly. That's what I do quite often in very different manners.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?

Yes, partly.

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?

Maybe because I'm a bloody sucker?

Last edited by bohoomil (2011-03-31 19:05:32)

utak3r · 2011-04-02 23:48:03

1. How long have you been using Linux?
ca. 16 years

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?
There was a tiny distribution called MonkeyLinux, which was running ontop DOS filesystem.

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?
Controlling what I need and what I don't need to have in my system.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?
Even more control (see above)

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?
Unfortunately yes - that's my job (software developer)

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?
Love the idea

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?
There're ones which love the idea, and there're ones which love the fame...

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?
See above

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?
Hmm, let's name it: portfolio.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?
Yep, some of them.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?
Sometimes - yes. For example: Apophysis, open source app, which is used for creating graphics (fractals). Well, it's my other hobby. So - I work on the app and - still using it, too.

akb825 · 2011-04-03 01:45:49

1. How long have you been using Linux?
Since April of 2009 (so about 2 years)

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?
I've heard about it online and had a few friends and classmates who run it.

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?
I very much dislike Windows, as well as the amount of effort required to keep it running free of malware. Mac is very user friendly, but it doesn't allow for much customization and requires expensive Apple hardware.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?
I chose Arch for my desktop because it uses up to date packages and has good documentation. I use Debian for my server because of its stability.

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?
I have a Windows partition to play games.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?
I primarily contribute due to a problem I have encountered, so it is in my best interest to help make sure those problems get fixed. Not only does it make my experience better to try to solve these problems, but it makes everybody else's experience better as well.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?
I think most people contribute because they want software that is better for their own use. Most people contribute by bug reports, in which case they rely on the developers to fix their problems for them, so they have no choice but to contribute those reports to the community if they want to see it fixed. Others create patches to the software to fix the problems themselves. It is in their best interests to submit those patches to the developers of the software, because it frees them from having to make sure the patch still works when they update to a newer version. In a nutshell, people do what is best for them, and in the case of open software projects it is best to contribute changes and bug reports back to the community.

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?
There are a few reasons that I can think of.

One is ideology: some people, such as Richard Stallman, strongly believe that software should be free. In many cases, that is due to their own work with proprietary software, and thinking "if only I had the source code, I could solve this problem right now."

Another is due to hobbyists working on projects on their free time. Often they know that they won't be able to get as far with their pet project by themselves, or that nobody would use it if it wasn't freely available.

Another reason is also due to companies deciding that making an internal software project open source is in their best interest. This will generally happen if the software project isn't linked to the company's main business, or if they don't think they would be able to make enough money off of selling it to fund the extra overhead to support the customers. By making it open source, it actually frees them from some of the burden of maintaining it, since they can get contributions from the community, and also provides a lot of free testing.

I should note that the ideology (mainly with Stallman) came first. Once the idea of free software started to become mainstream, people saw that it could actually be in their best interests to participate in it, either as a hobbyist or as a company.

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?
For software engineers, it can give employers an example of some of their work, as well as provide experience that can help people starting their careers get their first big job. For people in IT, it can help demonstrate experience with the platform.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?
I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, so I enjoy making the software that I use better. The parts I dislike is developers and maintainers on the projects are often very slow to respond, or don't respond at all.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?
No.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?
Not too much open source spilling into areas of my life, but I've had work spill out into open source. When using an open source library at work, I encountered some problems. I was able to fix those problems, and I submitted the patches to the developer of the library in the hopes that it would be accepted and we would no longer have to maintain those patches.

atomkarinca · 2011-04-03 11:18:37

hockeyfighter09 wrote:

1. How long have you been using Linux?

5-6 years.

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?

From a PC magazine back in 1999 and I had been trying it since then. In late 2005 I decided to go fulltime.

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?

I had been using a lot of pirated software and I didn't like the fact that I had to format and reinstall my OS every couple of months.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?

Because it's flexible. I can build it from the ground up as to my liking.

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?

Unfortunately, yes. Those would be CAD and Statics Analysis software.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?

So that other people would benefit from it. I believe that getting access to technology is a right. We may not be able to provide free hardware (as in beer, not as in freedom) but we can provide free software.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?

The sense and feeling of a community, I guess.

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?

I think the main reason is freedom. But I know for a fact that people contribute in order to learn programming and get experienced, even just to be attributed.

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?

It helps a lot for people that want to make a living by programming.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?

I have contributed in very rare occasions (since my programming skills are not that good) but I have done a good deal of translations. I do that to help Turkish speaking people to be able to access free software, too.

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?

I am somewhat a political activist. So I support freedom however I can.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?

No, I like doing it.

13. If you provide support on forums such as these, why do it for free?

I think information is universal and it should be.

atm · 2011-04-03 14:01:20

hockeyfighter09 wrote:

1. How long have you been using Linux?

Saw Red Hat installed on my PC long back (Red Hat 8) but did not take GNU/Linux seriously until about 2yrs ago.

2. How did you learn/find out about Linux?

Digit magazine giveaways

3. Why have you chosen Linux over other operating systems available?

Freedom. Community experience. Customizability. Cost.

4. Why did you choose to use your current distribution?

(Fedora along with several Linux based distros on VDIs) Fedora is cutting-edge enough to keep me satisfied, but not too cutting edge to get me into trouble (A very bad kernel upgrade experience. Maybe its just me and my fear) Also, I need a system with delta builds (Low bandwidth. India )

5. Do you still use any closed source programs that are not available for Linux?

Installed a few of them on Wine, but never used them voluntarily.

6. Tell me the reasons that you contribute to the community?

In a very small way, I do it because this is an ecosystem *which is based* on neighbours helping each other.

7. What do you think motivates others to contribute to the community?

Helping each other, making quality software and giving a big _!_ to other software companies that make crappy software and still try to 'sell' software.
Its not surprising that most of the FOSS programmers are best programmers in their respective fields.

8. In your opinion, what reasons do you think others provide software to everyone for free?

Answer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc

9. In what ways do you feel contributing to the community could benefit someone's future/career?

There was a guy who took a redundant 2.6.2x branch and continued it for a few months. He got placed in Red Hat Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2SED6sewRw Source.

10. What is it about contributing or programming that you enjoy most? Is there any aspects you dislike?

The feeling that you actually contributed to make something better.
Hate: Getting flamed for no reason (I just did because I wanted to change the output of uname on #fedora)

11. Are you a member of other non-software communities? Such as a church, voluntary organizations or charities?

Nope.

12. Does your open source work spillover with any other areas of your life?

Nope. At times I get less sleep. Probably because there is just one small project I work on.

I plan on using your user names on this forum to identify people in my paper. If any of you are uncomfortable with me using your username in my paper, please let me know!

I want you to call me 'Lolcat' in your paper (If you mention me).

Arch Linux

#26 2011-03-28 01:58:16

Re: Why Do People Make and Provide Software and Support for Free?

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#45 2011-03-31 17:43:04

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#46 2011-03-31 18:49:34

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#47 2011-04-02 23:48:03

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#48 2011-04-03 01:45:49

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#49 2011-04-03 11:18:37

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Re: Why Do People Make and Provide Software and Support for Free?

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